Wheels/Tyres: XC 70 - Jacking up issues!

[David Boxley]

Good morning all,

Had a puncture this morning, used the supplied Volvo jack but couldn't raise the car enough to to lift tyre from drive!

The suspension travel seems to go on for ever. (XC70 with 4C suspension)

Is this a known problem (?), if so, what's the solution?

Many thanks

[David Boxley]

Hi,

Problem solved with a trolley jack and some great advice.....

"use a piece of wood under the jack to raise it before use"

[jasmith44]

I take it you are going to carry the trolley jack and wood with you at all times.I think you need a block of wood about the size of a brick to go under the Volvo jack if the jack is the same as the S80 one.

[TiredGeek]

Odd, my jack is fine.
Has someone replaced your jack with one from a different model at some point? Not even sure they're different but it's the only thing I can think of....
Looks like you'll have to keep the block of wood in the boot at all times.

[David Boxley]

Hi All,

The "block of wood" trick will work with original jack, I have one in the boot now of a suitable size.

The puncture also raised another issue with removing wheels; this is the million pounds of pressure that tyre fitters use when doing their job and replacing tyres. You are then having to try to crack the nuts with the very short brace supplied by Volvo. I have overcome this by cutting a length of hollow tube to a 600mm length (it's a piece of hanging rail). This will provide enough leverage and it's now riding in the boot, keeping the block of wood company.

I'm wary of punctures as the previous one that I had a couple of years ago (with an Audi) was in the Langdales (in the Lake District) at dusk, on New Year's Eve. This was even more fun as the plastic tool for removing the plastic wheel nut cover (a "50p" item), was missing. We were around 30 miles from where we were staying too. Not a great end to a Year - not recommended!

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by David Boxley

Hi All,

The puncture also raised another issue with removing wheels; this is the million pounds of pressure that tyre fitters use when doing their job and replacing tyres. You are then having to try to crack the nuts with the very short brace supplied by Volvo.

Which is exactly the reason why if the car goes anywhere and I know the wheels have been removed I'll undo the bolts at home and re-torque up using a proper torque wrench to the specified level.

Originally Posted by David Boxley

Hi All,
I have overcome this by cutting a length of hollow tube to a 600mm length (it's a piece of hanging rail). This will provide enough leverage and it's now riding in the boot, keeping the block of wood company.

I still carry an extendable brace in the car though, just in case. Plenty of options in Helfrauds or fleabay.

Changing the wheels from summer to winter tyred variety every six months or so also prevents the wheel face binding to the hub, along with a thin smear of copper grease. I've been stuck before where I've been able to remove the bolts but the wheel was firmly welded to the hub and it took some effort to get the thing to move (albeit on another marque but the same can apply).

[mrc1501]

I seem to have my car up in the air for fun these days.........standard car jack without the need for wood. Also, there are 2 jacking points on both sides of the car, and I have had it where both side wheels are off the ground at once.

[Rossi-fan]

Originally Posted by mrc1501

I seem to have my car up in the air for fun these days.........standard car jack without the need for wood. Also, there are 2 jacking points on both sides of the car, and I have had it where both side wheels are off the ground at once.

Same here, both trolley jack, and crappy volvo jack lifts the whole side of my S60 a good 3 to 4 inches off the floor.

[mrc1501]

Originally Posted by mrc1501

and I have had it where both side wheels are off the ground at once.

That is just by using the Volvo scissor jack, nothing else